Anne Arundel County Lowers Stormwater Fee for Nonprofits to $1

As previously reported on Conduit Street, the American Civil Liberties Union had raised concern about Anne Arundel County’s stormwater management fee charging churches and nonprofit religious institutions $1 but requiring other nonprofit organizations to pay the full fee. A November 5 Capital-Gazette article reports that the Anne Arundel County Council voted to lower the stormwater fee to $1 for all nonprofits in a 4-3 vote Monday night.

The bill is expected to reduce stormwater revenues by $75,000 a year.

[Councilmen Derek] Fink, R-Pasadena, and [Jerry] Walker, R-Gambrills, introduced the bill in response to concerns raised over the summer by the American Civil Liberties Union of Maryland. …

The fee, which will be phased in over the next three years, is expected to generate $13.3 million this year.

[Council Member John] Grasso, a Glen Burnie Republican, objected to the discount for nonprofits, saying it was an attempt to whittle away at the stormwater fees, which will be used to fund projects that combat polluted stormwater runoff.

With every exemption or discount, he said, “it makes it harder on everyone else that has to pay the bill.” …

On Nov. 18, the County Council will hold a public hearing on a proposal to roll the stormwater fee back to $1 for all property owners.